E-philanthropy consolidation

Network for Good is acquiring Direct Help, a nonprofit in Norwalk, Conn., that provide e-philanthropy tools nonprofits can use for managing data, relationships with donors and clients, email campaigns and websites.

“They’ve got the tools and we’ve got the customers,” says Ken Weber, president of Network For Good at networkforgood.org. “We’re really doing this to help our nonprofits make the most of their internet programs. We want to help them expand and deepen their ability to cultivate their relationships.”

With 4,000 nonprofit customers that use its Donate Now service on their websites, Network For Good last year handled more than $17.5 million in donations from 80,000 unique donors.

Network for Good distributed those funds to more than 8,500 nonprofits overall, including some selected by donors at Network for Good’s website.

Donations this year are on track to reach a total $50 million since Network for Good launched its online giving service in November 2001, Weber said.

Scott Case, founder of Direct Help and co-founder of priceline.com, will join the Network for Good board.

In an unrelated matter, Bill Strathman, a former management consultant for BearingPoint Inc. and Andersen Business Consulting, has joined Network for Good as CEO.